RIT freshman Carter Wilkie tipped home the overtime game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 victory at AIC, Sunday, in Atlantic Hockey action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
RIT opened the scoring with 7:35 left in the first period. Sophomore defenseman Dimitri Mikrogiannakis hustled to keep a clearing attempt in the AIC zone and bounced a pass off the right-wing boards to senior forward Jake Joffe in the right corner. Joffe fed a pass to sophomore forward Cody Laskosky in the slot for a one-timer inside the right post.
AIC took advantage of a failed Tiger clear to even the score with 6:44 on the clock.
The Yellowjackets took a 2-1 lead 1:59 into the second period after Elijiah Barriga lifted a puck onto his stick blade behind the Tiger net and tucked it into the goal over junior goaltender Kolby Matthews’ right shoulder.
RIT scored on an odd-man rush down the left wing with 12:33 remaining in the second period. Freshman forward Grady Hobbs took a short pass from junior forward Andrew Rinaldi and scored on a shot from the left face-off circle.
The teams played a scoreless third period, but AIC was whistled for having too many men on the ice 42.6 left in regulation. RIT started overtime with a 4-on-3 power play where senior forward Jake Hamacher cycled a puck to senior defenseman Dan Willett at the point. Willett slid a puck to junior forward Caleb Moretz on his left and skated the return feed into the slot to snap a wrist shot on goal. Wilkie re-directed the puck inside the left post for the deciding tally with 3:43 on the clock.
GAME NOTES
Matthews stopped 28 of 30 shots he faced to improve to 5-1-2 this season.
RIT killed all five AIC power plays it faced.
Hobbes and Laskosky also logged goals in Saturday’s 7-3 setback at AIC
RIT Head Coach Wayne Wilson earned his 399th career victory on the Tiger bench, including 283 over the last 17 seasons at the Division I level. He also totaled 166 victories in his first six years coaching RIT at the Division III level.
WHAT’S NEXT
RIT plays two Atlantic Hockey games at Canisius next Friday and Saturday (Nov. 12-13). Face-offs are scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and 4:05 p.m., respectively.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].